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Introduction - Destinations of Leavers 2008/09

This publication is one of four reference volumes published annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). HESA is a company limited by guarantee, and is owned by the United Kingdom (UK) higher education sector through the representative bodies Universities UK and GuildHE. HESA collects data from publicly funded higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK on behalf of funding bodies and government departments, in a framework underpinned by legislation.

This volume draws on the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, which replaced the previous First Destinations Supplement (FDS) for 2002/03. Strictly speaking, this publication is based on the first phase of DLHE, and provides information about patterns of employment and further study or training at a point about six months after completion. The second phase is a follow-up survey on a sample basis approximately three years and six months after completion.1 All subsequent references to DLHE in this volume relate to the first phase.

The DLHE survey covers leavers from part-time as well as full-time programmes, a major extension relative to FDS. However, it is limited to those of UK and other EU domicile (as recorded at the point of entry to the programme in question). The leavers included in the survey reported in this volume are those who completed their programmes during the academic year 2008/09, that is, the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009. It covers data supplied by 165 HEIs (131 in England, 11 in Wales, 19 in Scotland, 4 in Northern Ireland). The volume includes data from the University of Buckingham, which is not a publicly funded institution. The data capture is undertaken by HEIs but the procedure is prescribed by HESA and, with some degree of detailed flexibility, is uniform across all institutions, regardless of size, nature, and location. A standard questionnaire printed by HESA is used; this is also available in Welsh, for use on request in Welsh institutions only.

For 2002/03, a fixed date, 15 January 2004, was used as the date relating to which information was sought through DLHE, this date being chosen so as to capture as completely as possible both employment and study commencing shortly after the start of the calendar year. For the 2003/04 DLHE return, two reference dates were used, and this pattern has been followed for subsequent years and is now standard. The reference date for those obtaining the qualification between 1 August 2008 and 31 December 2008 was 20 April 2009, and the reference date for those obtaining the qualification between 1 January 2009 and 31 July 2009 was 11 January 2010. The purpose of splitting the collection in this way is to bring the gap between the date of qualification and the reference date closer to the six-month target.

The analysis of the responses to the DLHE survey in some cases depends on the survey returns alone, but many tabulations rely on linking the DLHE return to the student returns submitted earlier for the same individual through the student record collection. This allows, for example, joint analysis of subject studied and subsequent work and/or study. It is from the student record collection that the list of qualifiers eligible to be included in DLHE is constructed.

The other reference volumes published by HESA are as follows.

Students in Higher Education Institutions. This volume draws on HESA's collection of data about students in HEIs. It includes information at the institutional level about entry qualifications, programmes taken, and outcomes, together with background variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, and disability. Data on HE provision in further education colleges is not included in this volume except for students funded indirectly through HEIs, in which case it is reported by the HEI through which funding passes.

Resources of Higher Education Institutions. This volume brings together information about the finances and the staff of HEIs. Tabulations are included which record and analyse income and expenditure, and the characteristics of staff, at the institutional level. New for 2008/09 is the inclusion of HE Business and Community Interaction Survey data.

Higher Education Statistics for the United Kingdom. This is the only HESA reference volume that currently carries the National Statistics designation. It provides an overview of higher education in the UK from a statistical perspective, including statistics about applications, participation, institutional finance, staffing, student awards, and loans. To achieve this broad coverage, this volume draws on data collected by other bodies as well as HESA, and in particular includes some information about directly funded HE provision in FECs.

HESA also publishes annually two Statistical First Releases within the National Statistics framework. Detailed data for institutional planning purposes is published on CD (HE Planning Plus and HE Finance Plus). The HESA Information Provision Service exists to meet more specialist needs of data users on a bespoke basis. The Higher Education Information Database for Institutions (heidi) commenced operation in April 2007, and offers a subscription service to institutions and approved HE bodies to allow the interrogation of HESA and other data through the production and export of tabular reports, and their display as charts.

Format of publications

Commencing with the 2002/03 cycle of publications, HESA reference volumes now comprise a relatively slim printed volume containing only a limited range of tables, together with a CD, which contains all the remaining data familiar to users from earlier years, supplemented with additional and more detailed tables. The tables on the CD are in Microsoft® Excel 2003 format. This has the further benefit of allowing users to select data from the tables and manipulate how it is displayed. However, arithmetical manipulations should be carried out with caution because of the effect of the rounding strategy described above.

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09

Response rates

The coverage of the DLHE survey is limited to qualifiers of UK and other European Union (EU) domicile.2 It excludes those domiciled outside the EU. Qualifiers from part-time programmes are included.

Qualifiers with known destinations

For DLHE in 2008/09 there were 285,070 valid responses from a possible total of 371,250 qualifiers from full-time programmes, a percentage with known destinations of 76.8% (2007/08 74.4%; 2006/07 74.8%). There were 69,655 valid responses from a possible total of 99,690 qualifiers from part-time programmes, a percentage with known destinations of 69.9% (66.4%; 67.2%). In total there were 354,730 valid responses from 470,940 qualifiers, giving a survey-wide figure of 75.3% (72.7%;73.2%).

9,425 full-time and 4,060 part-time qualifiers replied to the survey but explicitly declined to give information. They are not included in the above numbers of valid responses. Nor are those whose responses were insufficiently complete to be valid, or were rejected through failing any other test of validity.

Performance against target response rates

Target response rates for DLHE are set separately for full-time and part-time qualifiers and for UK and other EU qualifiers. Because these targets are a measure of institutional success in obtaining some form of response from qualifiers, explicit refusals are here included with valid responses. The following table shows the position for DLHE in 2008/09.

Table i Responses Qualifiers Rate Target Rate
Full-time UK 275910 339100 81.4% 80%
Full-time other EU 18585 32150 57.8% 50%
Part-time UK 71635 95835 74.7% 70%
Part-time other EU 2085 3855 54.0% 50%

It can be seen that for qualifiers of UK domicile, the full-time and the part-time response rate achieved the target by margins of 1.4% and 4.7% respectively. Across both UK and other EU students, the response rates have improved since 2007/08 where the achieved rates were 78.5%, 54.7%, 70.7% and 49.9% in the same order as the rows of Table i. For 2006/07 the achieved rates were 78.9%, 54.0%, 71.1% and 51.4%, respectively. Most of the tabulations in this volume are limited to qualifiers of UK domicile, which is often the main focus of interest in the results from DLHE.

DLHE response rates vary greatly between institutions, and are dependent in part on the amount of resource committed by an institution to the various stages of the process. Information about the mode of collection (postal, telephone, web) is included in the returns made to HESA, and will inform the future development of the survey.

Key points

Figures in brackets are for 2007/08 and for 2006/07, in that order, and are provided for comparison.

Of the 285,070 (276,595;267,605) full-time qualifiers of UK or other-EU domicile for whom a valid DLHE return was made, 197,285, or 69.2% (199,050, or 72.0%; 198,925, or 74.3%) reported that they were working in either full- or part-time employment, or were self-employed or freelance, or were doing voluntary/unpaid work; in each case numbers include those studying as well as working. The number studying, including those working as well as studying, was 72,925, or 25.6% (66,405, or 24.0%; 65,525, or 24.5%). The number assumed to be unemployed was 24435, or 8.6% (20,220, or 7.3%; 14,040, or 5.2%).

Of the 69,655 (68,120;64,505) part-timers, 59,655, or 85.6% (59,055, or 86.7%; 56,715, or 87.9%) were working, and 2,405, or 3.5% (2,095, or 3.1%; 1,535, or 2.4%) were assumed to be unemployed. There were 15,825, or 22.7% (14,945, or 21.9%; 14,570, or 22.6%) part-time qualifiers continuing to study, a percentage similar to that of full-time qualifiers, but most of these part-time qualifiers combined work with study.

The proportion of full-time qualifiers of other-EU domicile who were studying only was almost twice that of all full-time qualifiers, offset by a corresponding reduction in the proportion of those who were working only. The unemployment rate was similar to the overall figure. However, the response rate from other-EU qualifiers is lower than that for UK qualifiers, and there is a possibility of non-response bias.

All subsequent key points relate to UK-domiciled qualifiers only.

Of the 267,085 (259,915;251,985) qualifiers from full-time programmes for whom a valid DLHE return was made, 187,375, or 70.2% (189,055, or 72.7%; 189,155, or 75.1%) were working and 65,760, or 24.6% (60,240, or 23.2%; 59,560, or 23.6%) were studying, both percentages include those who were engaged in work and further study. The number assumed to be unemployed was 22,845, or 8.6% (19,090, or 7.3%; 13,225, or 5.2%).

Of the 67,650 (66,370;62,690) qualifiers from part-time programmes, 58,045, 85.8% (57,650, or 86.9%;55,210, or 88.1%) were working and 15,360, 22.7% (14,580, or 22.0%; 14,155, or 22.6%) were studying. The number assumed to be unemployed was 2,300 or 3.4% (2,005, or 3.0%; 1,475, or 2.4%).

Unemployment rates of qualifiers from full-time programmes were 6.3% (4.6%; 3.6%) for postgraduates, 9.6% (8.4%; 5.8%) for first degree students, and 4.6% (4.2%; 3.9%) for other undergraduates. The unemployment rates for females were uniformly lower than for males; for full-time first degree students the figures were 7.6% (6.8%;4.8%) for females and 12.3% (10.6%; 7.2%) for males. Unemployment rates for qualifiers from part-time programmes followed a broadly similar pattern but were considerably lower than the corresponding full-time rates.

Younger qualifiers from both full-time and part-time programmes were closer to the 'study' end of the work-study spectrum and older ones to the 'work' end.

Among qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes, the highest proportions of those working were in medicine & dentistry, veterinary science, subjects allied to medicine, and education, all above 80%. The highest proportions of those studying were in law, at over 50%, and mathematical sciences, physical sciences, and historical & philosophical studies, all above 33%. Computer science had the highest unemployment rate, at over 17%, and mass communications & documentation, engineering & technology, architecture, building & planning, creative arts & design were all above 12%. Hardly any medicine & dentistry qualifiers were unemployed. The rate was between 4% and 5% in education and subjects allied to medicine. The figures for medicine & dentistry should be interpreted in the light of the fact that these are quota-controlled subjects.

Among qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes who were working, 32.9% (35.1%; 35.3%) were in occupations classified as 'Managers & senior officials' or 'Professional', whereas 6.4% (5.1%; 4.2%) were in 'Elementary occupations' under the Standard Occupational Classification.

Of those qualifiers from full-time programmes who were working, 73.2% (78.8%; 81.8%) were in full-time paid work, 20.0% (15.8%; 13.6%) in part-time paid work, 3.9% (3.5%; 3.2%) were self-employed (or freelance), and 2.9% (1.9%; 1.5%) were doing voluntary or unpaid work. The pattern for qualifiers from part-time programmes was similar but with slightly higher proportions who were in full-time paid work or self-employed. Men were considerably more likely than women to be self-employed, but the major gender difference was among qualifiers from part-time programmes, where women were three times more likely at 19.1% (19.4%; 18.3%) to be in part-time employment than men at 7.1% (6.2%; 6.1%).

Of those doing full-time paid work, 2.9% (2.9%; 2.7%) of full-time and 1.3% (1.2%; 1.3%) of part-time qualifiers were known to be working outside the UK, as were 10.1% (8.7%; 8.8%) of doctorate-level qualifiers doing full-time paid work - a measure of the 'brain drain'.

Of qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes, 11.6% (9.6%; 9.2%) proceeded to study for a higher degree. Of qualifiers from full-time other undergraduate programmes, 30.7% (26.2%; 31.7%) proceeded to study for a first degree. For part-time qualifiers, these 'conventional' articulation rates were considerably lower.

Of those respondents achieving Qualified Teacher Status or the equivalent, 87.7% (90.3%; 90.3%) were employed as teachers, and a further 6.4% (4.2%; 4.1%) were seeking a teaching post.

Of qualifiers from part-time programmes who were employed during or just before their studies, three-quarters reported some form of employer support, usually in the form of payment of tuition fees and/or the granting of study leave.

The median3 salary for both male and female qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes employed in the UK was, £20,000, although the mean3 salary was higher for males at £20,500 compared to females at £19,000. The highest-paying jobs tended to go to males. For qualifiers from part-time programmes, males had a substantially higher median salary, £28,000 against £25,000, and a very much larger proportion in the highest category (£40,000 and above).

Summary results with EU coverage

Chart 1 shows the proportions of all qualifiers (that is, including both those of UK domicile and those of other-EU domicile) falling into each work-study reporting category. Table A provides a detailed breakdown of all the responses to the DLHE survey, using the factors mode, level, domicile, and gender.

Destinations of leavers 2008/09

Table A - Destinations of leavers by mode of study, level of qualification, domicile and gender(#2) 2008/09
  Full-time paid work only (incl. self- employed) Part-time paid work only Voluntary/unpaid work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed to be unemployed Not available for employment Other Total
Full-time 139730 29910 5125 22520 50405 24435 9460 3480 285070
Postgraduate 32485 3830 785 3280 4385 3420 1155 685 50025
UK 28060 3375 595 2715 3345 2645 1005 485 42225
Female 17370 2170 350 1695 1625 1270 605 265 25355
Male 10690 1210 245 1020 1715 1375 395 215 16870
Other EU 4425 455 185 565 1040 775 150 200 7795
Female 2315 315 105 320 530 445 90 55 4175
Male 2110 140 80 245 510 330 60 145 3620
First degree 94190 23685 4225 15620 37755 19640 7785 2435 205340
UK 91625 23270 4045 14840 33450 18865 7550 2290 195935
Female 54060 14240 2450 8965 18390 8535 4205 1220 112065
Male 37565 9030 1600 5870 15060 10330 3340 1070 83865
Other EU 2565 415 180 785 4305 780 235 145 9405
Female 1410 260 105 480 2270 410 145 75 5155
Male 1155 155 75 305 2035 370 90 70 4250
Other undergraduate 13050 2395 115 3615 8265 1380 525 360 29705
UK 12850 2360 110 3525 7880 1335 510 350 28925
Female 9365 1640 60 2390 3960 640 365 210 18630
Male 3485 720 45 1135 3925 695 145 140 10295
Other EU 205 35 10 90 385 40 10 10 785
Female 135 20 5 60 205 20 5 5 455
Male 65 15 0 30 185 20 5 5 330
Part-time 41215 6430 515 11490 4330 2405 2355 915 69655
Postgraduate 19630 2195 155 3540 910 640 820 320 28210
UK 18665 2120 150 3395 850 590 785 300 26855
Female 10695 1750 105 2025 515 320 535 190 16135
Male 7970 370 50 1370 335 265 255 110 10725
Other EU 970 75 5 145 60 50 35 20 1355
Female 505 60 0 80 30 30 25 5 735
Male 465 15 5 65 30 20 5 15 620
First degree 11840 2410 245 3150 1365 1305 1095 430 21840
UK 11660 2380 240 3090 1285 1260 1080 420 21415
Female 6865 1900 165 1970 810 645 675 265 13295
Male 4795 485 70 1120 480 610 400 155 8115
Other EU 180 30 5 55 80 45 20 10 425
Female 105 25 0 30 30 15 15 5 230
Male 80 5 0 25 45 30 5 5 195
Other undergraduate 9745 1825 115 4805 2055 465 435 165 19610
UK 9665 1815 115 4750 1990 455 435 160 19380
Female 5635 1540 90 3005 1160 235 305 105 12070
Male 4030 275 25 1745 830 220 130 50 7310
Other EU 80 10 0 55 65 10 0 5 230
Female 45 10 0 30 35 5 0 5 120
Male 35 0 0 30 30 5 0 0 105
Total 180945 36340 5640 34010 54740 26845 11815 4395 354730
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

The following percentages are derived from Table A, where, here and in what follows, 'work only' comprises the categories of full-time paid work only (including self-employed), part-time paid work only, and voluntary/unpaid work only.

Table ii Work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed unemployed Total returns(#1)
Full-time 61.3% 7.9% 17.7% 8.6% 285070
Part-time 69.1% 16.5% 6.2% 3.5% 69655
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

The proportion of part-time qualifiers continuing to study (including those working and studying) at 22.7% was slightly lower than that of full-time qualifiers at 25.6%, but just under three-quarters of these part-time qualifiers combined study with work whereas just under one third of full-time qualifiers did so.

For full-time qualifiers of other-EU domicile, the corresponding percentages were as follows.

Table iii Work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed unemployed Total returns(#1)
Full-time other EU 47.1% 8.0% 31.8% 8.9% 17990
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

These percentages show a substantial shift from work only to study only, by comparison with the overall pattern, with a similar percentage of full-time other-EU qualifiers both working and studying. This shift occurred for qualifiers from all levels of study. The percentage of those assumed to be unemployed (the unemployment rate) was however only a small amount higher than the overall figure. For this reason further analysis of data including both UK and other-EU qualifiers is limited to unemployment.

For full-time qualifiers, the unemployment rate was 6.8% for postgraduates, 9.6% for first degree students, and 4.6% for other undergraduates. These proportions are higher than they were for 2007/08 at 4.6%, 8.4% and 4.2% respectively. For part-time qualifiers, the corresponding figures were 2.3%, 6.0% and 2.4% in 2008/09 which is slightly higher than 2007/08 at 1.9%, 5.3%, and 2.2%.

For full-time first degree qualifiers, the unemployment rate was 7.6% for females and 12.3% for males. The corresponding part-time figures were 4.9% and 7.5%.

Summary results with UK coverage

The remainder of this introductory material reports numbers for qualifiers with UK domicile.

The overall effect of level of study, derived from the UK data in Table A, was as follows.

Table iv Work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed unemployed Total returns(#1)
Full-time postgraduate 75.9% 6.4% 7.9% 6.3% 42225
Full-time first degree 60.7% 7.6% 17.1% 9.6% 195935
Full-time other undergraduate 53.0% 12.2% 27.2% 4.6% 28925
Part-time postgraduate 77.9% 12.6% 3.2% 2.2% 26855
Part-time first degree 66.7% 14.4% 6.0% 5.9% 21415
Part-time other undergraduate 59.8% 24.5% 10.3% 2.3% 19380
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

Qualifiers from both full-time and part-time other undergraduate programmes had a high propensity to continue studying. Qualifiers from part-time postgraduate programmes were about as likely to continue studying as qualifiers from full-time postgraduate programmes, and articulation rates for qualifiers from full-time and part-time first degree programmes were also similar. Unemployment for qualifiers from part-time programmes was considerably lower than for those from full-time programmes, but followed the same pattern, with the other undergraduate and postgraduate rates being similar to one another and much lower than the first degree rate.

For qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes, the percentages by gender were as follows.

Table v Full-time first degree Work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed unemployed Total returns(#1)
Female 63.1% 8.0% 16.4% 7.6% 112065
Male 57.5% 7.0% 18.0% 12.3% 83865
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

The work-study pattern was similar, but the unemployment rate for females was much lower than that for males.

Table B is similar to the UK part of Table A, but provides a breakdown by age group. Those of unknown age are included only in totals.

Table B - Destinations of UK domiciled leavers by mode of study, level of qualification, gender(#2) and age group(#4) 2008/09
  Full-time paid work only (incl. self-employed) Part-time paid work only Voluntary/unpaid work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed to be unemployed Not available for employment Other Total
Full-time 132535 29010 4750 21080 44675 22845 9065 3125 267085
Postgraduate 28060 3375 595 2715 3345 2645 1005 485 42225
Female 17370 2170 350 1695 1625 1270 605 265 25355
24 years & under 7620 855 180 760 790 485 215 80 10990
25 years & over 9750 1315 170 935 835 785 390 190 14365
Male 10690 1210 245 1020 1715 1375 395 215 16870
24 years & under 3835 460 125 385 870 505 190 80 6440
25 years & over 6855 750 120 640 845 875 205 135 10430
First degree 91625 23270 4045 14840 33450 18865 7550 2290 195935
Female 54060 14240 2450 8965 18390 8535 4205 1220 112065
24 years & under 44770 12015 2160 7355 16430 6880 3560 880 94055
25 years & over 9290 2230 285 1610 1960 1650 645 340 18010
Male 37565 9030 1600 5870 15060 10330 3340 1070 83865
24 years & under 32360 8105 1440 5035 13515 8880 3060 905 73295
25 years & over 5205 925 160 835 1545 1445 280 165 10565
Other undergraduate 12850 2360 110 3525 7880 1335 510 350 28925
Female 9365 1640 60 2390 3960 640 365 210 18630
24 years & under 3895 610 25 1020 2710 315 155 105 8830
25 years & over 5470 1030 35 1370 1250 325 210 105 9800
Male 3485 720 45 1135 3925 695 145 140 10295
24 years & under 1625 500 30 745 3165 500 90 110 6760
25 years & over 1860 225 15 395 755 195 60 30 3535
Part-time 39985 6315 505 11235 4125 2300 2300 880 67650
Postgraduate 18665 2120 150 3395 850 590 785 300 26855
Female 10695 1750 105 2025 515 320 535 190 16135
24 years & under 325 40 5 60 35 20 10 5 500
25 years & over 10360 1715 100 1965 480 300 520 185 15625
Male 7970 370 50 1370 335 265 255 110 10725
24 years & under 160 25 5 40 30 15 5 0 275
25 years & over 7805 345 45 1330 305 250 250 110 10440
First degree 11660 2380 240 3090 1285 1260 1080 420 21415
Female 6865 1900 165 1970 810 645 675 265 13295
24 years & under 965 250 30 185 160 175 70 25 1855
25 years & over 5900 1650 140 1785 645 475 610 240 11440
Male 4795 485 70 1120 480 610 400 155 8115
24 years & under 1195 275 20 145 170 270 70 40 2185
25 years & over 3600 210 50 975 310 345 335 115 5930
Other undergraduate 9665 1815 115 4750 1990 455 435 160 19380
Female 5635 1540 90 3005 1160 235 305 105 12070
24 years & under 570 105 5 350 335 45 30 10 1450
25 years & over 5060 1435 85 2650 825 190 270 100 10610
Male 4030 275 25 1745 830 220 130 50 7310
24 years & under 890 75 0 570 445 85 25 20 2110
25 years & over 3140 200 25 1170 390 135 105 30 5195
Total 172520 35325 5255 32315 48805 25145 11365 4000 334730
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

The pattern for full-time qualifiers by gender and age group was as follows.

Table vi Full-time Work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed unemployed Total returns(#1)
Female 24 years & under 63.3% 8.0% 17.5% 6.7% 113875
Female 25 years & over 70.1% 9.3% 9.6% 6.5% 42175
Male 24 years & under 56.0% 7.1% 20.3% 11.4% 86495
Male 25 years & over 65.7% 7.6% 12.8% 10.3% 24530
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

Unemployment for females was much lower than for males. Younger qualifiers were closer to the 'study' end of the spectrum and older ones to the 'work' end.

The corresponding percentages for qualifiers from part-time programmes were as follows.

Table vii Part-time Work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed unemployed Total returns(#1)
Female 24 years & under 60.2% 15.6% 14.0% 6.3% 3805
Female 25 years & over 70.2% 17.0% 5.2% 2.6% 37675
Male 24 years & under 57.9% 16.5% 14.1% 8.0% 4570
Male 25 years & over 71.5% 16.1% 4.6% 3.4% 21565
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

Again, unemployment for females was lower than for males, but the differences were smaller than for full-time qualifiers. Younger qualifiers were again closer to the 'study' end of the spectrum and older ones to the 'work' end, but unemployment for older qualifiers was much lower than for younger ones.

Subject of study

Table C gives figures for qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes.

Table C - Percentage of full-time first degree UK domiciled leavers by activity and subject area(#6) 2008/09
  Work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed to be unemployed Other Total
Medicine & dentistry 90.6% 3.5% 5.1% 0.2% 0.6% 100.0%
Subjects allied to medicine 76.3% 7.6% 8.6% 4.8% 2.7% 100.0%
Biological sciences 54.9% 8.6% 22.3% 8.9% 5.3% 100.0%
Veterinary science 85.9% 3.2% 2.6% 6.2% 2.1% 100.0%
Agriculture & related subjects 62.7% 6.5% 14.0% 9.9% 7.0% 100.0%
Physical sciences 46.3% 6.1% 31.3% 10.6% 5.7% 100.0%
Mathematical sciences 42.9% 12.4% 28.3% 10.4% 6.0% 100.0%
Computer science 60.6% 5.4% 12.5% 17.5% 4.1% 100.0%
Engineering & technology 59.4% 5.8% 15.7% 13.3% 5.9% 100.0%
Architecture, building & planning 57.9% 7.6% 16.0% 12.9% 5.5% 100.0%
Social studies 59.3% 8.5% 17.0% 9.6% 5.7% 100.0%
Law 35.8% 10.8% 42.3% 6.4% 4.8% 100.0%
Business & administrative studies 64.1% 9.4% 9.6% 10.9% 6.0% 100.0%
Mass communications & documentation 69.1% 4.4% 7.0% 13.9% 5.6% 100.0%
Languages 54.2% 7.6% 23.5% 9.0% 5.6% 100.0%
Historical & philosophical studies 49.5% 7.5% 27.1% 10.1% 5.8% 100.0%
Creative arts & design 64.5% 6.6% 10.9% 12.5% 5.5% 100.0%
Education 74.6% 7.4% 10.1% 4.6% 3.3% 100.0%
Combined 59.8% 7.1% 18.7% 9.5% 4.9% 100.0%
Supplementary subject information(1)
Psychology 58.2% 9.8% 18.1% 8.5% 5.4% 100.0%
Geography 52.6% 6.9% 25.6% 8.1% 6.8% 100.0%
Economics & politics 51.3% 9.1% 22.0% 10.9% 6.6% 100.0%
English 54.3% 7.8% 23.4% 9.4% 5.1% 100.0%
Total 60.7% 7.6% 17.1% 9.6% 5.0% 100.0%
(1) Numbers reported under 'Supplementary subject information' are within and not additional to the overall total, but are disaggregated from it on a different pattern from the 19 subject areas.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

Work, study, and unemployment rates varied greatly between subject areas at the six-month point. In some cases the outcome was an obvious consequence of the characteristics of the subject area. For example, over half of qualifiers in Law go on to do further study. In contrast, 94.1% of those who studied Medicine & dentistry and 89.1% of those who studied Veterinary science went into employment. The highest unemployment rate is seen amongst those who studied Computer science, at 17.5%.

Occupational classification

Table D gives figures for working qualifiers, broken down by mode and level of study, and by gender, according to the Standard Occupational Classification of the work they were doing.

Table D - UK domiciled leavers entering employment by mode of study, level of qualification, gender(#2) and Standard Occupational Classification 2008/09
  Managers & senior officials Professional occupations Associate professional & technical occupations Administrative & secretarial occupations Skilled trades occupations Personal service occupations Sales & customer service occupations Process, plant & machine operatives Elementary occupations Unknown Total
Full-time 11560 62305 54880 15970 1615 10380 20050 745 9605 270 187375
Doctorate degree
Female 65 1490 160 30 0 5 10 0 5 5 1770
Male 60 1595 125 20 5 10 0 0 5 5 1820
Other postgraduate degree
Female 675 13525 3550 1020 20 400 405 10 185 25 19815
Male 840 6785 2275 610 45 165 340 40 215 35 11345
First degree
Female 4335 19865 24285 9280 340 6460 10610 165 4270 110 79715
Male 4805 14970 14865 4400 975 1940 7340 455 4230 80 54065
Other undergraduate
Female 470 2695 7670 405 65 1185 640 15 300 5 13455
Male 310 1380 1940 210 160 215 700 60 400 5 5390
Part-time 10580 22040 17350 2780 530 2625 1275 210 585 70 58045
Doctorate degree
Female 60 470 55 10 0 5 0 0 0 0 605
Male 55 475 45 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 585
Other postgraduate degree
Female 2785 6120 4265 485 5 185 65 10 25 20 13965
Male 2845 4235 1665 195 45 60 60 25 40 15 9175
First degree
Female 1365 2500 4505 1075 30 895 380 20 120 10 10900
Male 1195 2335 1710 350 125 135 335 70 210 10 6470
Other undergraduate
Female 1345 3405 3295 525 60 1235 300 15 80 10 10265
Male 935 2500 1810 135 265 105 130 75 110 5 6075
Total 22140 84340 72225 18750 2145 13005 21325 955 10190 340 245420
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

Among qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes who were working (including those who were also studying), 32.9% were in occupations classified as 'Managers & senior officials' or 'Professional', whereas 6.4% were in 'Elementary occupations'.

Basis and location of work

Table E shows the patterns of work of those qualifiers who were working, broken down by mode and level of study, and gender. It includes those who were also continuing to study. For those in full-time paid work, it shows the location of work and, where known, the contract duration.

Table E - UK domiciled leavers who entered employment by mode of study, level of qualification obtained, gender(#2), employment circumstance, location of employment and duration of employment 2008/09
  Of those working (incl. work & further study)    
    Full-time paid work      
      Location   Duration      
  Total Total in full-time paid work Within the UK Within other EU countries Outside the EU Location of employment unknown   Permanent or fixed- term lasting 12 months or longer Temporary or fixed- term lasting less than 12 months Duration unknown Part-time paid work Self-employed/ freelance Voluntary/ unpaid work
Full-time 187375 137240 132595 1660 2305 680   96925 20530 19785 37380 7355 5400
Doctorate degree 3590 3185 2800 105 265 15   2520 315 350 290 95 20
Female 1770 1540 1395 30 110 5   1230 165 150 170 45 10
Male 1820 1640 1405 70 155 10   1290 150 200 120 50 10
Other postgraduate degree 31160 25460 24510 320 530 95   17850 4070 3540 3680 1410 615
Female 19815 16380 15905 180 245 45   11410 2730 2235 2360 715 360
Male 11345 9080 8610 135 285 50   6440 1335 1305 1315 695 255
First degree 133780 94670 91495 1205 1450 515   65900 15170 13595 29225 5325 4565
Female 79715 56535 54870 700 670 295   39335 9330 7870 18040 2355 2785
Male 54065 38135 36625 505 785 220   26565 5840 5725 11185 2965 1775
Other undergraduate 18845 13930 13790 35 55 55   10650 980 2300 4190 530 195
Female 13455 10300 10225 20 25 30   7960 690 1645 2770 270 115
Male 5390 3630 3565 15 30 20   2690 290 655 1415 260 80
Part-time 58045 46075 45280 220 365 205   38895 1390 5790 8415 2850 705
Doctorate degree 1190 950 905 10 35 0   805 25 120 155 75 10
Female 605 460 440 5 15 0   390 15 55 105 35 5
Male 585 490 465 5 20 0   410 10 65 50 40 5
Other postgraduate degree 23140 19260 18820 135 205 100   16445 530 2285 2415 1280 185
Female 13965 11160 10960 60 75 65   9500 345 1315 1990 685 125
Male 9175 8100 7860 70 130 40   6945 185 970 420 595 55
First degree 17370 13220 13005 55 95 70   11150 575 1495 3015 810 330
Female 10900 7855 7760 20 40 30   6645 335 875 2385 430 225
Male 6470 5365 5245 30 50 35   4510 235 620 630 375 105
Other undergraduate 16340 12640 12550 25 30 35   10495 260 1885 2835 685 185
Female 10265 7345 7310 10 10 15   6095 170 1080 2360 425 140
Male 6075 5300 5240 15 20 20   4400 90 805 475 260 45
Total 245420 183315 177875 1885 2670 885   135815 21920 25575 45800 10205 6105
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

The pattern of work by mode of study and gender was as follows.

Table viii Full-time paid Part-time paid Self-employed or freelance Voluntary or unpaid Total returns(#1)
Full-time female 73.9% 20.3% 3.0% 2.9% 114755
Full-time male 72.3% 19.3% 5.5% 2.9% 72620
Part-time female 75.1% 19.1% 4.4% 1.4% 35740
Part-time male 86.3% 7.1% 5.7% 0.9% 22305
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

For full-time qualifiers, the percentage of males who were self-employed or freelance was substantially larger than for females. This was also true, to a lesser extent, for part-time qualifiers, but in that case there was also a major difference in the balance between full-time and part-time work, with females nearly three times more likely than males to be working part-time.

Of full-time qualifiers who were in full-time paid work, 1.2% were working in other EU countries, and 1.7% outside the EU. For part-time qualifiers the figures were 0.5% and 0.8% respectively. Of all doctorate-level qualifiers who were in full-time paid work, 2.8% were working in other EU countries, and 7.3% outside the EU.

Type of study

Table F shows the subsequent study patterns of those qualifiers who continued to study, broken down by mode and level of previous study, and by gender. It includes those who were also working.

Table F - UK domiciled leavers who entered further study by mode of study, level of qualification obtained, gender(#2) and qualification aim 2008/09
  Higher degree by research Higher degree by taught course Postgraduate diploma or certificate First degree Other diploma or certificate Professional qualification Other qualification Not aiming for a qualification Total
Full-time 6795 20510 11320 11145 3020 7895 3090 1985 65760
Doctorate degree 75 45 80 20 25 50 25 60 375
Female 30 30 45 10 15 15 15 35 200
Male 45 15 30 5 10 30 10 30 175
Other postgraduate degree 2380 1435 495 100 215 630 235 195 5690
Female 1135 925 315 55 140 290 150 115 3125
Male 1245 510 185 45 75 340 85 80 2565
First degree 4270 18535 10425 2145 2100 6775 2450 1590 48290
Female 1715 9425 7395 1220 1380 3750 1565 900 27355
Male 2555 9105 3030 925 720 3020 885 690 20930
Other undergraduate 70 500 320 8880 680 440 380 140 11410
Female 35 295 200 4805 390 255 265 100 6350
Male 35 205 115 4075 290 185 115 40 5060
Part-time 865 3480 2020 4475 1515 1135 1200 670 15360
Doctorate degree 20 10 20 5 10 5 5 30 105
Female 10 5 15 0 5 5 0 10 55
Male 10 5 10 5 5 0 5 15 50
Other postgraduate degree 670 1660 615 100 260 330 260 245 4140
Female 355 965 415 60 170 190 185 145 2485
Male 315 695 200 40 90 140 75 100 1655
First degree 100 1255 930 445 390 490 490 275 4380
Female 45 685 705 265 275 280 335 185 2780
Male 55 565 225 185 115 210 150 90 1600
Other undergraduate 75 555 455 3925 855 305 445 125 6740
Female 40 330 310 2380 540 185 295 80 4165
Male 35 230 145 1540 310 125 145 45 2575
Total 7660 23990 13340 15620 4535 9025 4290 2660 81120
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

Of the total number of qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes as reported in Table B, 24.6% proceeded to further study. Of those, 47.2% moved on to study for a higher degree. The corresponding part-time percentages were 20.4%, and 30.9%.

Of the total number of qualifiers from full-time other undergraduate programmes, 39.4% proceeded to further study. Of those, 77.8% moved on to first degree studies. The corresponding part-time percentages were 34.8%, and 58.2%.

Newly qualified teachers

Table G provides information about newly qualified teachers. From 2007/08 the former Postgraduate Certificate in Education has been divided between what is still called the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, a qualification postgraduate in both time and level and included in the 'Postgraduate' category, and the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, a qualification postgraduate in time but undergraduate in level and included in the 'Other Undergraduate' category.

Table G shows the breakdown between full-time and part-time modes of study and between Postgraduate, First Degree, and Other Undergraduate levels, for those achieving Qualified Teacher Status (or the equivalent in Scotland), and shows the sector (maintained/non-maintained, also known as state/independent) and the level of the school or college in which the respondent was teaching. This table also shows a similar breakdown for gender and age group.

Table G - UK domiciled leavers who completed an initial or pre-service teacher training course leading to QTS/registration as a school teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland, by mode of study, level of qualification obtained, gender(#2), age group(#4), teaching phase and teaching sector 2008/09
      QTS and in a teaching post    
      Teaching sector (1)   Teaching phase    
  Total QTS leavers Total QTS leavers in a teaching post (2) Maintained (state) school or college Non-maintained (independent) school or college Both maintained (state) and non- maintained (independent) school or college Sector not known   Primary school Secondary school Both primary & secondary schools College or other educational establishment QTS & seeking a teaching post QTS & not teaching nor seeking a teaching post
Full-time 24190 21275 18580 1095 325 950   10660 9715 430 470 1520 1395
Postgraduate 14480 13100 11500 745 180 565   4835 7650 270 340 700 685
...of which Postgraduate Certificate in Education 14460 13080 11495 740 180 565   4825 7650 265 340 700 680
First Degree 6735 5610 4850 225 80 240   4605 845 105 55 615 510
Other undergraduate 2975 2565 2230 130 65 145   1220 1220 55 70 205 200
…of which Professional Graduate Certificate in Education 2875 2540 2210 120 65 140   1215 1200 55 70 190 145
Part-time 535 415 360 20 5 20   320 75 15 5 65 55
Postgraduate 295 245 210 15 5 10   190 40 5 5 30 20
...of which Postgraduate Certificate in Education 295 245 210 15 5 10   190 40 5 5 30 20
First Degree 155 120 110 5 0 5   100 15 5 0 15 20
Other undergraduate 85 50 40 5 0 5   25 20 5 0 20 15
…of which Professional Graduate Certificate in Education 75 50 40 5 0 5   25 20 5 0 15 10
Female 18900 16500 14510 785 225 720   9495 6415 315 270 1270 1130
24 years & under 11465 10050 8785 485 130 445   6135 3585 200 130 750 660
25 years & over 7435 6445 5730 300 100 280   3360 2830 115 140 520 470
Male 5825 5195 4425 335 105 250   1485 3375 130 205 315 320
24 years & under 2720 2440 2055 160 50 110   700 1580 70 85 120 160
25 years & over 3105 2755 2370 175 55 135   780 1795 60 120 195 155
Total 24725 21690 18940 1120 335 970   10980 9790 445 475 1585 1450
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
(1) The school types within the Northern Ireland sector are different from other United Kingdom regions. School type was not a completion requirement for those teaching in Northern Ireland and should be taken into account when analysing these figures.
(2) Students who did not respond to the teaching sector question are included in total figures but not in separate breakdowns.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

As can be seen from Table G, almost all Postgraduates achieving QTS did so by taking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and almost all Other Undergraduates achieving QTS did so by taking a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education was by far the most heavily used route to QTS for both full-time and part-time students.

Across the UK, 87.7% of those respondents achieving QTS were employed as teachers, and a further 6.4.% were seeking a teaching post. Of those known to be in a teaching post, 92.9% were teaching solely in the maintained (state) sector. The percentage teaching only at the primary level was 50.6%, at the secondary level or both levels 47.2%, and at a college or other educational establishment 2.2%.

Employer sponsorship for part-time study

Table H shows patterns of employer sponsorship for qualifiers from part-time programmes who were employed during or just before their studies.

Table H - UK domiciled leavers who studied part-time and were employed either during or immediately before the programme of study they recently completed, by level of qualification obtained, gender(#2) and employer sponsorship 2008/09
  Employer sponsorship    
  Tuition fees paid Grant to cover tuition fees & living expenses Study leave Supported in other ways No employer support Total(1)
Postgraduate 5145 215 3325 2710 2000 9650
Female 3130 110 2095 1660 1240 5945
Male 2015 100 1230 1050 760 3705
First degree 2425 95 1785 1640 2530 6630
Female 1500 60 1200 1075 1695 4380
Male 925 35 580 565 835 2250
Other undergraduate 2325 180 1475 1540 870 4775
Female 1535 120 1020 1130 610 3295
Male 790 60 455 415 260 1485
Total 9895 490 6585 5895 5395 21060
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
(1) This is the total number of leavers who were employed during/immediately before the course, not a tally of sponsorship option, as respondents were allowed to tick all options that applied to them.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

Three-quarters of those responding reported some form of employer support. Payment of tuition fees was the commonest form of support. Grants to cover living expenses as well were uncommon, study leave being the common form of personal support.

Salary levels

Table I shows the mean, median, upper and lower quartiles of salaries reported (to the nearest £1,000) by qualifiers from first degree programmes who entered or continued in full-time UK employment. Chart 2 displays the salary distribution by £5,000 bands separately for qualifiers from full-time and part-time programmes, subdivided by gender.

Table I - UK domiciled leavers who obtained first degree qualifications and entered full-time paid employment in the UK by mode of study, gender(#2) and salary 2008/09
  % disclosed salary Mean salary Median salary Upper quartile Lower quartile
Full-time 51.2% 19500 20000 23000 15000
Female 52.0% 19000 20000 22000 15000
Male 49.9% 20500 20000 24000 15000
Part-time 55.5% 27500 25000 32000 20000
Female 56.2% 25500 25000 30000 20000
Male 54.5% 30500 28000 36000 22000
Female total 52.5% 20000 20000 23000 15000
Male total 50.5% 22000 20000 25000 16000
Total 51.7% 20500 20000 24000 15000
In this table salary figures are rounded to the nearest £500.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to tables

UK domiciled leavers who obtained first degree qualifications and entered or continued in full-time paid UK employment by salary band, mode of study and gender 2008/09

The median salary for female qualifiers from full-time programmes was in line with that for males at £20,000. However, the mean salary for males was higher than that for females at £20,500 compared with £19,000, this is due to the high-paying jobs tending to go to males which can be seen in Chart 2. For qualifiers from part-time programmes the distributions were quite different, with males not only having a substantially higher median salary, but also a very much larger proportion in the highest category.


1 A pilot survey was carried out in January 2006 on a test sample from the 2002/03 leaving cohort, two years and six months from completion. The results from this have not been published, but were used to inform the design of the first full survey, on a disjoint sample from the same cohort, and this was conducted in early 2007. Reports on that survey are available on the HESA website. A sample from the 2004/05 cohort has been surveyed in early 2009, and a report on this survey was published on the HESA website in September 2009. An alternate-year pattern is likely to be followed thereafter subject to the availability of funding.

2 Guernsey, Jersey (including between them the minor Channel Islands) and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK and not part of the EU, but, as in other HESA publications, students with these domiciles are included in UK numbers unless separated out explicitly.

3 Mean and median salaries are expressed to the nearest £500.